It's been a rollercoaster week for North Carolina fans. The Tar Heels entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a 6-seed, despite a rocky 5-4 finish to the regular season and ACC Tournament after Caleb Wilson's injury.
With a 15-point lead and under 10 minutes left against VCU in the first round, it seemed like they had it in the bag. But the Tar Heels couldn't hold on, bowing out in the first round for the second year in a row.
Amidst swirling rumors, North Carolina made the decision to part ways with head coach Hubert Davis after five seasons, a move that could send ripples through college basketball, particularly affecting Michigan State.
No, Tom Izzo isn't packing his bags for Chapel Hill, but the coaching change could impact Michigan State's recruiting. Maximo Adams, a five-star small forward and one of Michigan State's top 2026 targets, might reconsider his commitment to the Tar Heels.
Adams had narrowed his choices down to a few schools, including Michigan State, before committing to Davis and North Carolina. He likely envisioned a championship run and stability under Davis, but the current situation changes the landscape.
This could be a golden opportunity for Izzo and the Spartans.
Could Michigan State swoop in for Maximo Adams?
Even with a coaching shake-up, North Carolina's prestigious reputation might retain Adams. However, if his decision hinges more on coaching relationships than the school’s name, he might reopen his recruitment. This scenario could lead to renewed conversations with Izzo.
One potential snag for Michigan State is playing time availability, but if roster changes are expected, Adams might find East Lansing an attractive option.
Back in September, Adams had a highly praised official visit to Michigan State, where he spoke glowingly of Izzo. Though North Carolina ultimately won him over in October, the current coaching change might just tip the scales back in Michigan State's favor, should Adams seek release from his National Letter of Intent (NLI).
Adding Adams would bolster an already impressive Spartan recruiting class, joining the ranks of Carlos Medlock Jr., Jasiah Jervis, Ethan Taylor, and Julius Avent. As the No. 21 overall recruit and sixth-best small forward in the 2026 class, Adams would seamlessly fit into Izzo's system, offering a tantalizing prospect for the Spartans' future.